Elastic bandage.



PATBNTBD MAR. 13, 1906.

H. MYERS. ELASTI BANDAGE. APPLICATION HLBD sB'Pmzs, 1905.

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HENRY MYERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELASTIC BANDAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.Patented March 13, 1906.

Application filed SeptemberZ, 1905. Serial No. 280,166.

To alt whom, t may concern:

Beit known that I, HENRY MYERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Elastic Bandages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to elastic bandages or compressive coverings.

It has for its objects, first, the construction of such coverings specially adapted to fit individual cases; second, to provide coverings that are so arranged as to aHord a special degree of pressure at the point desired third, to provide such coverings in a practical commercial form ready for use and so constructed as to be readily applied or removed, and other minor objects incidental thereto. These objects are attained by a novel method of construction, hereinafter set forth, and indicated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of a forearm having my bandage applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of bandage. Fig. 3 is a general view of another application of the bandage. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the bandage. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing the irregularities. Fig. 6 is a similar section, but showing a different form of construction and the manner in which it may be reversed for application or removal.

Referring to the drawings, the body of the bandages is represented by the numeral l. The same may be made of any suitable material, as rubber or other iiexible substance or compounds, that may be rendered plastic in the process of construction.

At 2 is shown lan annular raised interior surface, and 3 represents a series of irregular inner surfaces, made as hereinafter described.

The numeral 4 represents a series of outer encircling bands, which may either be integral or separately applied in order to give greater compression than the bandage alone at any desired point.

Elastic bandages are usually made in such manner as to afford a uniform and constant pressure on the part to which they may be applied. There are many cases, however, in which it is desirable to concentrate the compression, as along a vein or artery at distensions or protrusions thereof or at any given point in cases where elastic bandages are de.- sirable. Woven fabrics of an elastic nature, as combination of silk and rubber, are not readily adapted to special localized treatment of such parts, covering, as they do, a comparatively broad area and of necessity pressing equally on surrounding parts, as well as where it is more particularly desired. In order to provide an improved form of bandage having the advantages of elasticity, localized compression, as of a tourniquet, convenient for application and equally readily removable, I prefer in such special cases to take a plaster cast of the limb, whereby I am able to secure the exact contour, including such irregularities, protuberances, and cavities as may exist. From this cast I construct a suitable mold, making due allowances for securing an extra amount of compression at such points as may be desired, and therein form the bandage. By this process of construction I attain a perfectly homogeneous structure that when properly applied produces pressure at an increased amount where the extra thickness of interior fullness exists, leaving the outer surface smooth and free from irregularities.

In operating I prefer to reverse the bandage, entering the limb to the proper point, and then by a process of reversal gradually envelop the surface of the limb, care being taken to have the inner raised parts rest where the extra pressure is needed.

Where it is desired only to afford pressure at intervals or annularly, a special cast is not necessary, as stock form may be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. As a new article of manufacture, an elastic bandage, of homogeneous construction, having its interior walls shaped to closely approximate the limb to which it is to be applied, all substantially as shown and described. 9,

2. As a new article of manufacture, an annular, flexible sleeve, adapted to be used as a bandage, having a smooth, regular exterior and an inner molded surface made in conformity to the part to which it is to be applied, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY MYERS. Witnesses:

WARREN E. WILLIS, WALTER S. BOWLING.

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